Dance of the Damned

Soul Ties

The four walked to the main hall all clad in white, flimsily fitted, gowns and matching white shoes that were surprisingly comfortable to wear.

After they were done changing, the woman came back and took the wet clothes from them to dry.

“These are comfortable,” Alexander remarked, pulling at the cloth as they waited in the hallway again. “Though, a little thin.”

“Should I note that down?” The guard beside him asked but already looked like he memorized everything Alexander just said.

“Briar!” Elise came to them in a similar gown though she has a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, unlike them.

“Elise.”

“Tell me what you know since being here.” She said, putting her hands on the boy’s shoulders.

“I just heard them speaking.” He said, unable to look her in the eyes. “He lost a lot of blood and it seems the doctors here are more confused than we are about Micah and his condition.”

“What do you mean?” Philip asked as Alexander listened in closely.

“They kept shouting at each other, running back and forth from the room. I heard them trying to stitch the wound up but it seems the thread cut his skin instead.”

“Don’t they know that the young master is very fragile?” Elise asked, pressing her forehead in distress. “Even a falling leaf can cut his skin if he isn’t careful. Is … is he even alive at this point?”

“D-don’t worry about anything, Elise,” Briar said quickly and began telling her about the woman that came into the room suddenly and began patching the boy up like it was the easiest thing in the world.

“Really?” Elise asked, brightening instantly. “A specialist. I am sure she will know what she is doing then. The young master is in good hands.”

“Yes.” Briar agreed, mirroring her enthusiasm when Alex piped in.

“Does the woman you talked about have an almost pink-blond hair and a face like it was carved out of stone? Like she has no expressions?”

“I think so?” Briar said, not entirely sure.

“Do you know her, your highness?” Philip asked, still looking at the door occasionally.

“If she is who I think she is, then the young master is in very good hands.” He said a smile coming on his face. “You do not have to worry about a thing, Elise.”

“Thank you for the reassurance, your highness.” She said, looking brighter though there is still a hint of nervousness on her face.

It wasn’t until the doors opened and Micah was carried out of the room in a stretcher with the blood bag being held up by someone else as they rushed to the other room that her facade almost broke.

She tried to go to him but the woman from earlier stepped out, taking the apron off her clothes with the gloves, giving it to a nurse to dispose it off, and stopped Elise in her tracks.

“Are you his guardian?” She asked, looking behind her at everyone else, pausing at Alexander. “Your highness?”

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Morgan.” He said, walking to her. “You look as lovely as ever.”

“You can quit the flattery. What are you doing here?” She said, placing her hands on her hips, earning gasps from everyone in the group with her harsh tone.

“I came here to visit a family friend. The boy you just treated.” He explained, grinning. “How small the world is to meet you here.”

Morgan ignored him and turned to Elise, “Are you his guardian?’

“No. I am his governess.” She said, looking around. “Where are the Lord and Lady?”

“Lord and Lady?” Morgan asked, frowning slightly. “His parents?”

“No, they are his legal guardians. His aunt and uncle, the young master’s parents are dead.” She said, pulling the cloth tighter around her body.

“Never mind them then,” Morgan said, holding the bag in her hand closer. “It might be better that they are not here.”

“Why is that?” Philip asked as they gathered closer around her.

“The child … why was he attacked? Do you know?” She asked, lowering her voice.

“We don’t know,” Elise said, turning to the others who shook their head in response.

“Is there nothing that someone would want from his death?” She asked when a look of realization came on Briar’s face and, judging by everyone else’s face, they seem to understand too.

“Are you saying the Lord and Lady might have wanted his death?” Philip asked, frowning. “They would never go that far.”

“I am just saying that it is possible.” She said nonchalantly. “But it might be wrong too because they are too likely to be the suspects. Why would they do something that will lead back to them? Either way, I suggest you keep an eye on them.”

“Ok,” Elise said as the woman gave her a friendly smile.

“Good. You may see him now. He is fine.” She began to walk away, ignoring Alexander once again before she paused, “I have seen accidents like this too often. This follows the same formula. Please keep an eye out for the boy. I worry about him.”

As soon as she said this, the Lord and Lady rushed into the hallway from outside, brushing past Morgan who gave them a nod, wore the cloak hanging on her arm and walked out.

“We heard that Micah is out!” The woman shouted, covering her face with a fan. “Where is he? How does he look like?”

“He is inside, Lord and Lady,” Elise said pleasantly while Briar turned away from them, trying to hide the anger written all over his face. “But it is a little crowded with sick people. I think we should check on him first and then ask to transfer him to another hospital before you meet him.”

“I think that is a good idea.” The man said, “My darling wife here has been feeling faint since we reached this place. Do tell the boy we came to make sure he is alright.”

“Of course. Do take care of the Lady back at the estate, my Lord.” Elise said as the two walked out of the hospital almost at lightning speed leaving everyone to stare after them suspiciously.

_________________

“Young master!” Elise shouted, running into the room and almost disturbing everyone in there.

“Nanny Elise,” Micah said, smiling at her weakly, making her gasp.

He looked pale before but this time, his skin looked like it lost all life as he had trouble even lifting his hand.

"Oh, my darling boy." She finally broke down, taking his hand in her and holding it tight while sobbing. Philip patted her back to offer comfort while Briar looked at Micah with horror before running out of the room.

_______________________

Standing just outside the building as he watched the rain pour down, Briar blankly stared at the water falling down.

Why am I like this? He thought when he heard a voice behind him.

"May I join you?"

It is Alexander with a smile on his face.

"O-of course, your highness." He scots to the side, making space for the man to stand.

“I heard that you are good friends with the young master?”

“I don’t know if I can call myself that.” He said, looking away. “What are friends if they are not there for you in your time of need?”

“I think you mistaking friendship for something deeper,” Alexander said, standing with the boy as everyone that passed them stared and not subtly too.

“Something deeper?” Briar asked, frowning. “What is deeper than friendship? Unless you mean the union between two people. There is still a form of friendship there.”

“Have you heard of soul ties?”

“Soul ties?”

“Yes, it is when two souls are so tightly woven together that no matter the number of lifetimes that one goes through, they will always find the other soul. Let me ask you this,”

He turned to the boy, “Is there someone you met that immediately made you feel like you knew each other before you even met?”

“People feel that?” Briar asked, surprised. “I thought I was just … strange.”

“People do. That is their soul tie. Now, the thing about soul ties is this, the connections the two have are stronger than anything in the world.” He said with a glint in his eyes. “So, you don’t have to worry about not always being there for someone, that is for Soul ties, not friendships.”

“I see.” Briar stared at the ground, kicking the soil. “So you mean, reincarnation is also possible?”

“Of course.” He said without hesitation looking at him from the corner of his eyes. “I know someone who has reincarnated.”

“Really!? Who?” Briar asked, almost excited.

“My older brother,” Alexander said proudly. “The scholars were amazed with him and his knowledge. Speaking of incidents long forgotten.

“Reincarnation happens, but not everyone has memories of it.” He said with a sad look in his eyes. “And the price to pay just to have these memories still with you, even a fragment of it, is heavy.”

“May I ask, about your brother, your highness?” Briar asked, trying to word it as carefully as possible.

“He is now in his room, never having left there in over ten years. He could not bear the memories that come to him and asked the physicians to put him in eternal slumber.”

Alexander turned to Briar. “I go to his room every day and talk to his living corpse. He was supposed to be the one to inherit the throne not me, but … I suppose things work out how they want to without our permission."

"I'm sorry." He said, looking at the ground.

"Why? You did nothing to him." Alexander said nonchalantly. "Just like you did nothing to your friend. It was those people, not you. If I find them ..."

Briar turned to the man, seeing how his expression darkened immediately, making his body shiver instantly.

"I hope I am not being rude but ... what is your relationship with Micah?" Briar asked as the man turned to him suddenly, expression changing.

"He is … someone I look up to."